Bypassing the village, those heading onwards to Mestenon enter the Yvelines forest.  Culann knows the way.. sort of… she’s been here once before.  On the other hand, she has some keen senses most Humans lack.

They also know that they have to spend the night in the forest, because there are no towns or villages here where they might find shelter.  Technically, they are within the territory ruled by the Huns, but the Orcs do not like venturing away from their walled defenses and the roads that link them.  Bad things happen to Orcs straying into the forest.

“That’s why the Huns release monsters into the forest,” Stannos explains.  “Like that thing we fought.  They  don’t like going into the forests that much, so they send monsters out, to scare others out.”

The group is now a small one- but out here, in the middle of a strange forest, keeping a night watch is important.

The Yvelines, Culann recalls from magic-geography classes, was once a much large forest, though it was never one of the great magic forests like Armorica or the Ardennes.  Still, it has power left, and that is why a remnant of it still exists in an arc to the west of Lutetia Parisiorum.  The Lutetia-Carnotum road cuts straight through it, and they know they will cross that road in the morning.

In reply to Ben (msg # 1):

Tis a pitty the unthinking rashness of others have lead to this. she comments as she scans the surrounds. As we need to stay here over night what think you we find a spot in a tree we can make a temporary platform in she asked

Stannos is a little sulky.  It is just the two of them.

Not even Kyriel... they don't get what it means when someone gives you a mission, he thinks.

He knows he could not have just let an Academy wizard go off on her own.  If something happened to Culann... how would he explain it to Tharus?  Better to not come back at all, than a wizard short!

Even though Bryon's company would be nice...

"IN a tree?"  he asks, slightly disbelieving.  "Up in a tree?  Do you have some spell that can let us do that safely?"

They look around, but there are no easy ways to build platforms.  Not without hours of cutting, chopping, building... But there are a few great, old oaks with very broad branches.

"We could tie ourselves, so we don't fall," Stannos says.

In reply to Ben (msg # 3):

Thats also possible and would keep us secure. Culann beams then looks about the ground for some thick branches which may have fallen to the ground.

While Culann collects branches for some kind of temporary tree platform, or at least, some added bracing during the night,  Cathassa the otter sniffs around for the kinds of things that interest otters.

A frog is found, and devoured with joy.

Cathassa gives Culann a curious look.  Why such fuss?  Otters need no elaborate sleeping arrangements!  And as far as Cathassa recalls, Culann has that option as well, being a Were-Otter.  Cathassa gives a few insistent squeaks, trying to get across the idea that Culann could easily spend the night as a cozy ball of fur.

Stannos, of course, does not have that option.  With some work, he crafts himself a passable sleeping place in the nook of a large oak tree, and then quietly helps Culann, looking over at the otter every now and then.

He is about to start a small camp fire at one point, and stops himself.  "We might be close to that road," he says.  "We shouldn't give ourselves away."

I'm going to be traveling for a week starting tomorrow.  Posting might be scarce.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Sat 29 June 2013.

In reply to Ben (msg # 5):

Setting up a makeshift platform as close as she can, if not adjacent, to Stannos during which she introduces him to Cathassa

ooc Thanks for the heads up, hope your travels are enjoyable

Stannos looks over at Culann.  All alone in the forest, with an wizardess, close enough too… but there are far too many factors telling him that tonight, it is all about sleeping.  There is the fact that they are deep in dangerous territory.  There is the fact that Culann hasn’t given him any of the traditional signals- no complaints about being cold, or frightened, or of course the well known “muscle ache” approach.  Nothing like that.   And more importantly… Bryon is insane, he’s sure of it.  Stannos isn’t crazy enough to touch another woman when Bryon could be… anywhere.

When Culann introduces Cathassa, he is civil and friendly, and cautious.  The battle mages are not taught the arts of summoning and binding a familiar, and they are not very clear on what a familiar is... some kind of special bonded pet?

But it's a wild animal, right?

"It's not going to bite, is it?" Stannos asks.

In reply to Ben (msg # 7):

Only if you threaten either it or me, she's very protective Culann informs as she tickles its ear.

Once positioned comforably Culann ties the rope about her waist to ensure she won't fall during the night.

It was already settled in Stannos's mind.  Culann is off limits.  The presence of a "protective" wild animal just confirms it.

Stannos, Culann, and Cathassa spend an uncomfortable night.  Well, two of them do.  Cathassa, being a very flexible, furry animal, finds it very easy to find a safe, comfortable position.

It’s the sort of night where not much sleeping is done- when they finally fall asleep in the tree, it is because they are too tired to stay up.  They both oversleep the sunrise- it is quite light when they get up.  Cathassa has already found breakfast, a fish.  Stannos asks the usual polite questions about “how did you sleep”? and stretches, obviously a little worn from the night in the tree.

They head out in the morning, and soon cross the Lutetia-Carnotum Road.  This straight line of stone and brick is an unnatural cut across the heart of the Yvelines, and as Culann and Stannos know, patrols are frequent.  They check carefully to make certain no one is in sight, and after they cross, Stannos takes a few moments to eliminate signs of their crossing.

Shortly after crossing the road they reach the valley of the Voise, a shallow, small, slow river.  The valley is studded with Dolmens- ancient standing stones, testament to the old magic of the region, and the river is a tributary of the Eure, and they meet at Mestenon, so following the valley is the best way to find the town.

And there are tracks.  Two sets. Cathassa squeaks excitedly.  There are boot prints in the soft ground that match the party- most of them are small, like Kyriel and Rita and Bryon would make.  But others are large.  Like many Orcs would make.  The Orc prints look older.. but not that much older.

”The others got out ahead of us!” Stannos says, picking up the pace.  “Maybe they didn’t go into that prison camp after all.  Come on! They might run in to trouble!”

To catch up with the other party, go to "The Prison Camp" thread.  Culann and Stannos will be coming up from behind.